Palworld Skips Japan, Lawsuit May Be to Blame

Following its Xbox and PC releases, Palworld finally arrived on PlayStation consoles, as announced during PlayStation's September 2024 State of Play event. However, a significant exception exists: the PS5 release is currently unavailable in Japan.

Palworld's PlayStation 5 Debut in Japan: An Indefinite Delay

Palworld's PlayStation State of Play Reveal

Despite the global launch, Japanese PlayStation players are currently unable to access the game. This delay is strongly linked to ongoing legal action between Nintendo/Pokémon and Pocketpair, Palworld's developer. A patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and Pokémon is the suspected cause for the postponement.

Uncertain Future for Palworld's Japanese PS5 Release

Palworld's Japanese (X) Twitter account confirmed the global release, excluding Japan, and apologized for the delay. They stated that a Japanese release date remains undetermined. The statement emphasized their commitment to bringing the game to Japanese PS5 players as soon as possible.

While Pocketpair hasn't explicitly stated the reason for the delay, the ongoing legal battle is widely considered the primary factor. Nintendo's lawsuit, filed in Tokyo court, seeks an injunction and damages. A successful injunction could force Pocketpair to cease Palworld operations entirely, potentially resulting in the game's removal from all platforms.